Cautery protective accessory sleeve with stabilization system

ABSTRACT

A cautery pen tip accessory cover comprises a cylindrical member that can receive a cautery pen in a first end and the tip of the cautery pen can extend from a second opposite end when the cover is in a retracted configuration. The cylindrical member has an opened lateral exposure that allows the feel of the cautery pen therethrough. A cover exposure opening in the cylindrical member to provide access to a trigger of the cautery pen when the cautery pen tip cover is in the retracted configuration. A resilient member urges the cautery pen tip cover to the non-retracted configuration where access to the cautery pen trigger is prevented. The cylindrical member is easily retracted by a finger ring configured permanently into the cylindrical member, allowing easy retraction of the cover by the operator squeezing the cover to a resistance bar stabilization system accessory configured over the cautery pen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

One or more embodiments of the invention relates generally toelectrocautery accessories. More particularly, the invention relates toa compression spring automated retractable protective electrocautery pentip cover.

2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information

The following background information may present examples of specificaspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts,or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educatethe reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to beconstrued as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof,to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.

Many cautery devices alert the physician and staff of their actuationthrough a high-pitched sound. However, this sound is often not heardsecondary to all of the many devices in the operating room which makehigh pitched sounds.

Currently, the only option to assure that the pen is not accidentallyactuated by either the surgeon, the staff or even the patient, is toplace the pen in a large, clumsy plastic box, often referred to as aholster, that is clipped to the operating field. This box is so largethat nothing assures that the pen stays in place, other than staffvigilance.

If the pen is dislodged, it can accidently be actuated and could start afire with the oxygen in the room (for anesthesia) or could burn thepatient before someone realizes it is no longer in the holster.Moreover, the holster often comes off of the tether and the opened tipof the pen could be exposed on the operating field. Just leaning on thedrapes, for example, can then actuate the opened trigger. Further thepen can be dropped into the field and while under a retractor typeinstrument, continuous actuation can occur resulting in severe burns orfire.

As can be seen, there is a need for a protective cautery pen tip coverthat protects the pen tip and prevents accidental actuation of the pentrigger.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide an electrode pen safetysystem comprising a stabilization system having a track disposed along alongitudinal axis thereof and a connection member operable to secure anelectrode pen thereto; a sleeve slidably received on the track, thesleeve having a first end operable to receive the electrode pen therein,and a second opposite end, operable to permit an electrode pen tip toextend therefrom; and a trigger actuation opening formed as a throughhole in the sleeve, the trigger actuation opening positioned to permit auser to activate a trigger of the electrode pen when the electrode penis secured by the connection member of the stabilization system and thesleeve is positioned in a retracted configuration with the electrode pentip extending beyond the second opposite end of the sleeve, the sleevepreventing access to the trigger when positioned in a non-retractedposition, with the sleeve surrounding the electrode pen tip.

Embodiments of the present invention further provide a sleeve for anelectrode pen, comprising a first end operable to receive the electrodepen therein; a second opposite end, operable to permit an electrode pentip to extend therefrom; a trigger actuation opening formed as a throughhole in the sleeve, the trigger actuation opening positioned to permit auser to activate a trigger of the electrode pen when the electrode penis inserted therein in a retracted configuration with the electrode pentip extending beyond the second opposite end of the sleeve, the sleevepreventing access to the trigger when positioned in a non-retractedposition, with the sleeve surrounding the electrode pen tip; and alateral opening formed as a through hole through the sleeve, the lateralopening disposed on at least one side of the sleeve and permittingdirect contact with the electrode pen when the electrode pen is disposedtherein.

Embodiments of the present invention also provide an electrocauterysystem comprising an electrode pen; a stabilization system having atrack disposed along a longitudinal axis thereof and a connection memberoperable to secure the electrode pen thereto; a sleeve slidably receivedon the track, the sleeve having a first end receiving the electrode pentherein, and a second opposite end, permitting an electrode pen tip toextend therefrom; a trigger actuation opening formed as a through holein the sleeve, the trigger actuation opening positioned to permit a userto activate a trigger of the electrode pen when the sleeve is positionedin a retracted configuration with the electrode pen tip extending beyondthe second opposite end of the sleeve, the sleeve preventing access tothe trigger when positioned in a non-retracted position, with the sleevesurrounding the electrode pen tip; and a compression spring disposedwithin the sleeve adjacent the second opposite end, the compressionspring urging the sleeve to a non-retracted position.

In one aspect of the present invention, a cautery pen tip covercomprises a cylindrical member with opened exposure laterally allowingthe feel of the exposed pen operable to receive a cautery pen in a firstend thereof; a tip opening disposed in a second, opposite end of thecylindrical member, the tip opening permitting a tip of the cautery pento extend therethrough when the cautery pen tip cover is in a retractedconfiguration; a cover exposure opening formed in the cylindricalmember, the cover exposure opening providing access to a trigger of thecautery pen when the cautery pen tip cover is in the retractedconfiguration, wherein the cautery pen tip cover prevents access to thetrigger when the cautery pen tip cover is in a non-retractedconfiguration; and a resilient member operable to urge the cautery pentip cover to the non-retracted configuration. The cylindrical member iseasily retracted by a finger ring with a raised surface configuredpermanently into the cylindrical member allowing easy retraction in anatural closed hand position of the operator squeezed to a resistancebar stabilization system accessory configured over the body of the pen.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cautery pen tip covercomprises a cylindrical member with opened exposure laterally allowingthe feel of the exposed pen operable to receive a cautery pen in a firstend thereof; a tip opening disposed in a second, opposite end of thecylindrical member, the tip opening permitting a tip of the cautery pento extend therethrough when the cautery pen tip cover is in a retractedconfiguration by squeezing the finger rings against the resistance baraccessory in a natural closed hand position; a cover exposure openingformed in the cylindrical member, the cover exposure opening providingaccess to a trigger of the cautery pen when the cautery pen tip cover isin the retracted configuration, wherein the cautery pen tip coverprevents access to the trigger when the cautery pen tip cover is in anon-retracted configuration; a compression spring operable to urge thecautery pen tip cover to the non-retracted configuration; the one ormore cover notch guides formed on an inside surface of the cylindricalmember identically fits into the notch guides formed in thestabilization system, which consists of the tracks, the resistance barand the receptacle for an optional hollow tube suction system attachedto the cautery pen; and at least one cover finger plate extending fromthe cylindrical member at the first end thereof.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a cautery system comprisesa cautery pen; and a cautery pen tip cover with exposed lateralopenings, the cautery pen tip cover comprises a cylindrical memberoperable to receive the cautery pen in a first end thereof; a tipopening disposed in a second, opposite end of the cylindrical member,the tip opening permitting a tip of the cautery pen to extendtherethrough when the cautery pen tip cover is in a retractedconfiguration; a cover exposure opening formed in the cylindricalmember, the cover exposure opening providing access to a trigger of thecautery pen when the cautery pen tip cover is in the retractedconfiguration, wherein the cautery pen tip cover prevents access to thetrigger when the cautery pen tip cover is in a non-retractedconfiguration; and a resilient member operable to urge the cautery pentip cover to the non-retracted configuration.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the cautery system issimplified and comprises a stabilization system including a resistancebar, a track with an optional suction-tubing reservoir that is attachedin one piece by a wrapped configuration on one end and spot welding onthe opposite end to allow flawless retraction of the cautery pentip/trigger cover; a two part system which does not alter the originalpen but is a simple accessory system with a resilient member which urgesthe cautery cover in the non-retracted position.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an exampleand are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, inwhich like references may indicate similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a cautery pen accessory covermounted on a stabilization bar system with the pen disposed therein inan actuated position, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the stabilization bar system ofFIG. 1, separate from the pen, showing a track, with guide notches andan optional tubing track, for receiving the cautery pen accessory coveraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the cautery pen accessory cover,partially cut away to show a spring therewithin, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a left side view of the cautery pen accessorycover/stabilization bar system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a right side view of the cautery pen accessorycover/stabilization bar system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the cautery pen accessorycover/stabilization bar system of FIG. 1, showing the cautery pen in anon-retracted, protected position;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a cautery pen accessory coveraccording to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a cautery pen accessory coveraccording to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a detailed perspective view showing use of thecautery pen accessory cover of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the cautery pensafety system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a cautery pen disposed in thestabilization bar system without the accessory cover installedthereupon.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are notnecessarily drawn to scale.

The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understoodby turning to the following detailed description wherein illustratedembodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that theillustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way oflimitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OFINVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theinvention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

Devices or system modules that are in at least general communicationwith each other need not be in continuous communication with each other,unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or systemmodules that are in at least general communication with each other maycommunicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communicationwith each other does not imply that all such components are required. Onthe contrary, a variety of optional components are described toillustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the presentinvention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many carefulconsiderations and compromises typically must be made when designing forthe optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system,and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. Acommercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings ofthe present invention may be configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a cautery pen tipaccessory cover that comprises a cylindrical member that can receive acautery pen in a first end and the tip of the cautery pen can extendfrom a second opposite end when the cover is in a retractedconfiguration. The cylindrical member has an opened lateral exposurethat allows the feel of the cautery pen therethrough. A cover exposureopening, also referred to as a trigger actuation opening, in thecylindrical member to provide access to a trigger of the cautery penwhen the cautery pen tip cover is in the retracted configuration. Aresilient member urges the cautery pen tip cover to the non-retractedconfiguration where access to the cautery pen trigger is prevented. Thecylindrical member is easily retracted by a finger ring configuredpermanently into the cylindrical member, allowing easy retraction of thecover by the operator squeezing the cover to a resistance barstabilization system accessory configured over the cautery pen.

The simplicity of the cautery system is that the cautery pen does nothave to be altered, other than the addition of injection molded plasticattachments, to achieve the final product. The compression springspecifications can be designed to provide appropriate retraction of thecautery pen tip into the cover when the pen is not maintained in theretracted configuration. There is simply no other mechanism that assurescoverage of the electrode tip other than a permanently attached sleevethat forces compliance of the operator by removing the option ofutilizing a holster that is clumsy and remote from the device. Thissleeve requires retraction to actuate the device and remains covered inthe non-use state. This reduces accidental actuation, burns andoperating room fires by covering the source for ignition.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 5 and 10, a cautery pen safety system10, also referred to as safety system 10 or simply, system 10, caninclude an accessory sleeve 12 that can cover the tip of an electrodepen 14, also referred to as a cautery pen 14. The sleeve 12 can beeasily added to a conventional electrode pen. The sleeve 12 can movealong a track 18 of a stabilization system 16 while the electrode pen 14is fixed to a pen wrap portion 20 of the stabilization system 16.

Referring specifically to FIG. 2, the stabilization system 16 caninclude the track 18 extending longitudinally along a length of thestabilization system 16. A suction tube 22 may be disposed below oradjacent the track 18. In use, suction may be applied to a suction tubedistal end 24 to create, for example, a built-in smoke evacuator for useduring cauterization.

A proximate end 26 of the stabilization system 16 can include one ormore spot welds 28, or similar protrusions can allow direct attachmentof the electrode pen 14 to the stabilization system 16. A distal end 30of the stabilization system 16 can include the pen wrap portion 20 whichcan be configured to secure the electrode pen 14 therein, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 11. The pen wrap portion 20 may be a friction fittingmember, or may include one or more securement mechanisms (not shown) forfixing the electrode pen 14 thereto. The securement mechanisms mayinclude set screws, tightening members, or the like. In someembodiments, the electrode pen 14 may be made integrally with thestabilization system 16. In this embodiment, the pen wrap portion 20 maynot be necessary since the pen 14 is already affixed to the integralstabilization system.

A resistance bar 32 may extend, at or near the distal end 30, away fromthe pen wrap portion 20 to provide a fixed extension effectivelyattached to the electrode pen 14 that assists in the use and retractionof a tip 34 of the electrode pen 14 from the sleeve 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 5, the sleeve 12 can include a firstopening 36 at a sleeve distal end 38 into which the electrode pen 14 canfit. A tip opening 40 can be formed in a sleeve proximate end 42 of thesleeve 12. A compression spring 44 may be disposed inside the sleeve 12,at the sleeve proximate end 42. The compression spring 44 may be sizedtoo large to extend out of the sleeve proximate end 42 but may be smallenough to press against an electrode pen body tip end 46, from which theelectrode tip 34 extends. The effect is that the sleeve 12 may bedisposed over the electrode pen 14 and, as the sleeve 12 is retracted toexpose the electrode pen tip 34 out from the tip opening 40 of thesleeve 12, the compression spring 44 urges the sleeve 12 to move in anopposite direction to cover the electrode pen tip 34. The compressionspring 44 may be fixed inside of the sleeve 44 or may simply beremovably disposed therein.

The sleeve 12 can include a trigger actuation opening 46 formed as ahole through a portion of the sleeve 12. The trigger actuation opening46 is positioned such that when the sleeve 12 is in a non-retractedposition (see FIG. 6), the sleeve 12 prevents access to a trigger 50 ofthe electrode pen 14. However, when the sleeve 12 is moved, against theresiliency of the compression spring 44, into the retractedconfiguration (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, for example), the electrodepen tip 34 extends from the tip opening 40 and the trigger 50 isaccessible through the trigger actuation opening 46. Should the unit bedropped or set aside, the resiliency of the compression spring 44 cancause the sleeve to slide along the track 18 (see FIG. 2) of thestabilization system 16 into the non-retracted configuration, where theelectrode pen tip 34 is protected inside the sleeve 12 and the trigger50 is non-accessible, covered by the sleeve 12.

The sleeve 12 can include a lateral opening 48 along at least a portionof the side of the sleeve 12. The lateral opening 48 can be formed onone or both sides of the sleeve 12 and allows the user direct contactwith the electrode pen 14 disposed in the sleeve 12. Typically, thelateral opening 48 is disposed between the trigger actuation opening 46and the bottom of the sleeve 12, where the sleeve 12 rides along thetrack 18 of the stabilization system 16. In some embodiments, thelateral opening 48 may be disposed to be longer or shorter than a lengthof the trigger actuation opening 46.

The sleeve 12 can include a finger ring 51 affixed to a portion of thesleeve 12 and extending downward (toward the stabilization system 16when the system 10 is assembled, as shown in FIG. 4, for example). Thefinger ring 51 may be formed as a curved bar, as shown in FIG. 4, or mayhave other shapes, such as a ring shape as shown in FIG. 7, or may beexcluded, as shown in FIG. 8, for example. The finger ring 51 may beused to assist the user in retracting the sleeve 12 by, for example,allowing the user to squeeze the finger ring 51 toward the resistancebar 32 to achieve the retracted configuration of FIG. 4.

When not in use, the operator releases the sleeve 12 and the compressionspring 44 recoils, covering the electrode pen tip 34 and is stopped by agraduated ring or trigger lever (not shown), or other like mechanism,that prevents the base of the sleeve 12 from propelling completely offof the electrode pen 14 and stops at the point that the electrode pentip 34 is completely covered.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, one can see how the sleeve 12 can bemoved from the non-retracted position as shown in FIG. 6, where thetrigger actuation opening 46 does not allow activation of the trigger 50(not shown, but covered by a portion 54 of the sleeve 12), to theretracted position as shown in FIG. 1, where the electrode pen tip 34extends from the sleeve 12 and the trigger actuation opening 46 allows auser to directly contact the trigger 50 of the electrode pen 14. Itshould be noted that, in some embodiments, the portion 54 of the sleeve12 that covers the trigger 50 of the electrode pen 14 may be raised, asshown in FIG. 6, thereby allowing the electrode pen 14 to move linearlythrough the sleeve 12.

The sleeve 12 may include a channel 52 or a set of grooves orprotrusions formed along the bottom thereof to receive the track 18 ofthe stabilization system 16. This configuration allows the sleeve 12 toslide along the track 18 and permits the movement between the retracted(use) and non-retracted (stored) positions.

Referring to FIG. 7, in some embodiments, the sleeve 12 may be formedfrom a varied design. For example, the finger ring 51 may include a ringportion 51-1 and an extending portion 51-2. Of course, otherconfigurations are contemplated within the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the sleeve 12 caninclude a flexible actuation member 60 that may extend over the triggeractuation opening 46 as shown in FIG. 9. The actuation member 60 mayinclude a textured outer surface for receiving a user's finger. When thesystem is in the retracted configuration, the trigger 50 may be disposedbelow the actuation member 60, which the user may flexibly depressagainst the trigger 50 to actuate the electrode pen 14. In someembodiments, finger stabilization side members 62 may be disposed onopposite sides of the flexible actuation member 60

All the features disclosed in this specification, including anyaccompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternativefeatures serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unlessexpressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise,each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series ofequivalent or similar features.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or letteredsolely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numberingand lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken toindicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinaryskill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustratedembodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of examples andthat they should not be taken as limiting the invention as defined bythe following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that theelements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, itmust be expressly understood that the invention includes othercombinations of fewer, more or different ones of the disclosed elements.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention and itsvarious embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of theircommonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in thisspecification the generic structure, material or acts of which theyrepresent a single species.

The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,therefore, defined in this specification to not only include thecombination of elements which are literally set forth. In this sense itis therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or moreelements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below orthat a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in aclaim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certaincombinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expresslyunderstood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can insome cases be excised from the combination and that the claimedcombination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of asubcombination.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by aperson with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, areexpressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of theclaims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one withordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of thedefined elements.

The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specificallyillustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, whatcan be obviously substituted and also what incorporates the essentialidea of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electrode pen safety system comprising: astabilization system having a track disposed along a longitudinal axisthereof and a connection member operable to secure an electrode penthereto; a sleeve slidably received on the track, the sleeve having afirst end operable to receive the electrode pen therein, and a secondopposite end, operable to permit an electrode pen tip to extendtherefrom; and a trigger actuation opening formed as a through hole inthe sleeve, the trigger actuation opening positioned to permit a user toactivate a trigger of the electrode pen when the electrode pen issecured by the connection member of the stabilization system and thesleeve is positioned in a retracted configuration with the electrode pentip extending beyond the second opposite end of the sleeve, the sleevepreventing access to the trigger when positioned in a non-retractedposition, with the sleeve surrounding the electrode pen tip.
 2. Theelectrode pen safety system of claim 1, further comprising a lateralopening formed as a through hole through the sleeve, the lateral openingdisposed on at least one side of the sleeve and permitting directcontact with the electrode pen when the electrode pen is secured by theconnection member of the stabilization system.
 3. The electrode pensafety system of claim 1, further comprising a resistance bar extendingfrom the stabilization system, the resistance bar affixed at a distalend of the track.
 4. The electrode pen safety system of claim 1, furthercomprising a spot weld on a proximate end of the track, the spot weldoperable to affix the electrode pen thereto.
 5. The electrode pen safetysystem of claim 1, further comprising a finger ring extending from thesleeve.
 6. The electrode pen safety system of claim 1, furthercomprising a compression spring disposed within the sleeve adjacent thesecond opposite end, the compression spring urging the sleeve to anon-retracted position when the electrode pen is secured by theconnection member of the stabilization system.
 7. The electrode pensafety system of claim 1, further comprising a tube disposed adjacentthe track.
 8. The electrode pen safety system of claim 1, furthercomprising a raised portion of the sleeve, the raised portion of thesleeve permitting the trigger of the electrode pen to fit thereunderwhen the sleeve is placed onto the electrode pen, the raised portionpreventing access to the trigger when the sleeve is in the non-retractedconfiguration.
 9. The electrode pen safety system of claim 1, whereinthe connection member wraps about at least a portion of the electrodepen when the electrode pen is secured therein.
 10. The electrode pensafety system of claim 1, wherein the stabilization system is integrallyformed into the electrode pen.
 11. A sleeve for an electrode pen,comprising: a first end operable to receive the electrode pen therein; asecond opposite end, operable to permit an electrode pen tip to extendtherefrom; a trigger actuation opening formed as a through hole in thesleeve, the trigger actuation opening positioned to permit a user toactivate a trigger of the electrode pen when the electrode pen isinserted therein in a retracted configuration with the electrode pen tipextending beyond the second opposite end of the sleeve, the sleevepreventing access to the trigger when positioned in a non-retractedposition, with the sleeve surrounding the electrode pen tip; and alateral opening formed as a through hole through the sleeve, the lateralopening disposed on at least one side of the sleeve and permittingdirect contact with the electrode pen when the electrode pen is disposedtherein.
 12. The sleeve of claim 11, further comprising a finger ringextending from the sleeve.
 13. The sleeve of claim 11, furthercomprising a compression spring disposed within the sleeve adjacent thesecond opposite end, the compression spring urging the sleeve to anon-retracted position when the electrode pen is secured by theconnection member of the stabilization system.
 14. The sleeve of claim11, further comprising a raised portion permitting the trigger of theelectrode pen to fit thereunder when the sleeve is placed onto theelectrode pen, the raised portion preventing access to the trigger whenthe sleeve is in the non-retracted configuration.
 15. An electrocauterysystem comprising: an electrode pen; a stabilization system having atrack disposed along a longitudinal axis thereof and a connection memberoperable to secure the electrode pen thereto; a sleeve slidably receivedon the track, the sleeve having a first end receiving the electrode pentherein, and a second opposite end, permitting an electrode pen tip toextend therefrom; a trigger actuation opening formed as a through holein the sleeve, the trigger actuation opening positioned to permit a userto activate a trigger of the electrode pen when the sleeve is positionedin a retracted configuration with the electrode pen tip extending beyondthe second opposite end of the sleeve, the sleeve preventing access tothe trigger when positioned in a non-retracted position, with the sleevesurrounding the electrode pen tip; and a compression spring disposedwithin the sleeve adjacent the second opposite end, the compressionspring urging the sleeve to a non-retracted position.
 16. Theelectrocautery system of claim 15, further comprising a lateral openingformed as a through hole through the sleeve, the lateral openingdisposed on at least one side of the sleeve and permitting directcontact with the electrode pen.
 17. The electrocautery system of claim15, further comprising: a resistance bar extending from thestabilization system, the resistance bar affixed at a distal end of thetrack; and a finger ring extending from the sleeve, wherein squeezingthe finger ring toward the resistance bar causes the sleeve to slidealong the track and move the sleeve into the retracted configuration.18. The electrocautery system of claim 15, further comprising a tubedisposed adjacent the track.
 19. The electrocautery system of claim 15,wherein the connection member wraps about at least a portion of theelectrode pen when the electrode pen is secured therein.
 20. Theelectrocautery system of claim 15, wherein the stabilization system isintegrally formed into the electrode pen.